Canadians are reflecting on a significant political period marked by the prorogation of Parliament by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in January 2025, leading to a summer of inactivity under Prime Minister Mark Carney. During this time, immigration numbers surged while housing starts in Ontario declined. Carney spent months abroad, promoting his agenda with little domestic engagement, as Canadian morale suffered.

However, the political landscape is shifting with the return of Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party. Following a decisive by-election victory in Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot riding on August 18, Poilievre has adopted a more aggressive stance on issues such as free speech, immigration, and gender ideology. This shift comes as he seeks to regain the significant polling lead he held during Trudeau's tenure.

Recent polling data from Abacus Data, conducted from August 15 to 19, indicates that the Conservatives have regained a slight lead over Carney's Liberals. The poll, which surveyed 1,915 adults, found that if an election were held today, 41% of decided voters would support the Conservatives, a one-point increase. The Liberals dropped to 39%, a four-point decrease since early August. The New Democratic Party (NDP) and Bloc Québécois both hold 7%, while the Green Party and People's Party of Canada (PPC) each sit at 2%.

The poll results were gathered before significant events, including the Air Canada flight attendants' strike and Carney's decision to withdraw counter-tariffs on some U.S. goods. Poilievre's recent re-election has also coincided with a notable change in his strategy, aligning more closely with the desires of his base.

On August 21, just days after his victory, Poilievre took to social media to address a controversial case involving a nurse penalized for expressing views on gender. He stated, "A nurse with a spotless track record gets fined and suspended for pointing out there are two genders, and for praising world renowned author & women’s rights advocate @jk_rowling. This is authoritarian censorship. We must restore free speech and free thinking in a free country." This statement resonated widely, garnering 27,000 likes and over 2.5 million views.

Poilievre's engagement with these issues has sparked renewed hope among some Canadians who feel that free speech and women's rights have been sidelined in recent years. His approach signals a potential shift in the political dialogue as the Conservative Party seeks to capitalize on its recent momentum.